Method of treatment using inhibitors of mitosis

ABSTRACT

Methods of treating diseases caused by cell division or that are treated by inhibiting mitosis by administering two doses of an inhibitor of mitosis between the biologically effective dose and the maximum tolerated dose in a dosing cycle that allows for the recovery or subsiding of side effects, wherein the second dose is administered 24 to 48 hours after the first dose.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a method for treating diseases causedby cell division or that are treated by inhibiting mitosis usinginhibitors of mitosis on a specific dosing schedule.

Description of the State of Art

Inhibitors of mitosis (also called mitotic inhibitors or anti-mitotics)are important therapeutics for the treatment of diseases, and they areused in treatments for cancer, as well as anti-gout and anti-fungusagents and treating restenosis. These inhibitors of mitosis therapeuticsdisrupt mitosis such that the cell will no longer divide. In cancer,inhibitors of mitosis can stop cancerous growth and lead to apoptosis orexit from mitosis followed by cell death.

Many inhibitors of mitosis are known. Some inhibitors of mitosis areanti-tubulin agents. Anti-tubulin agents act on tubulin, a protein thatis necessary for mitosis. Anti-tubulin agents include vinca alkaloids,taxanes and epothilones. Non-tubulin targeted inhibitors of mitosis havealso been investigated as cancer therapeutics. Different inhibitors ofmitosis affect different portions of the cell cycle, and sometimes otherfunctions outside of mitosis. For instance, anti-tubulin agents canaffect non-mitotic cytoskeletal functions in proliferating cells and interminally differentiated cells. Peripheral neurotoxicity has beenassociated with tubulin agents. Thus, different inhibitors of mitosismay have different toxicities.

Vinca alkaloids inhibit microtubule polymerization, which therebyinhibits mitosis. Vinca alkaloids include vinblastine, vincristine,vindesine and vinorelbine. Vinblastine has been used to treat certainkinds of cancer, including Hodgkin's lymphoma, non-small cell lungcancer, breast cancer and testicular cancer. Vincristine has been usedto treat certain kinds of cancer, including lymphoma, breast cancer,lung cancer and acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Vinblastine andvincristine have also been used in palliative regimens for some of themajor solid tumors (See Wood, Kenneth W., et al. “Past and future of themitotic spindle as an oncology treatment.” Current Opinion inPharmacology. Vol. 1, Issue 4 (Aug. 1, 2001): pp. 370-377). Vindesinehas been used to treat certain kinds of cancer, including leukemia,lymphoma, melanoma, breast cancer and lung cancer. Vinorelbine has beenused to treat certain kinds of cancer, including breast cancer andnon-small cell lung cancer.

Taxanes stabilize microtubules, thereby inactivating the microtubulefunction of a cell and inhibiting cell division. Taxanes includepaclitaxel (including Abraxane) and docetaxel. Paclitaxel is used totreat certain kinds of cancer, including lung cancer, ovarian cancer,breast cancer and advanced forms of Kaposi's sarcoma. Docetaxel is usedto treat certain kinds of cancer, including breast cancer, ovariancancer and non-small cell lung cancer. New taxanes are also indevelopment, for example BMS275183 (See 2006 EJC Poster: Broker, L. E.,et al. “The novel oral taxanes BMS275183 has a favorable activity andtoxicity profile in a twice weekly schedule; Preliminary findings froman extended phase I trial.” EJC Suppl. 2006 Abstract 644, p. 194).

Additionally, colchicine is an inhibitor of mitosis that acts as ananti-tubulin agent. Colchicine inhibits mitosis by inhibitingmicrotubule polymerization. Colchicine is used to treat gout.

Epothilones are a class of microtubule-stabilizing chemotherapeuticagents with activity in paclitaxel-resistant cancer cell lines (SeeDenduluri, Neelima, et al. “Phase II trial of ixabepilone, anepothilones B analog, given daily for three days every three weeks, inmetastatic breast cancer.” Invest. New Drugs. 25 (Aug. 25, 2006): pp.63-67). Epothilones include epothilone A, epothilone B, epothilone D andthe epothilone analog ixabepilone. Ixabepilone has been approved for thetreatment of aggressive metastatic or locally advanced breast cancer nolonger responding to currently available chemotherapies.

Dolastatin and dolastatin analogues are inhibitors of mitosis. Thesecompounds include dolastatin 10, dolastatin 15, synthadotin (or SYN-D orILX651; see 2004 ASCO Abstract No. 3068, Hammond, L. A., et al. “Phase(Ph) I evaluation of the dolastatin analogue synthadotin (SYN-D;ILX651): Pooled data analysis of three alternate schedules in patients(pts) with advanced solid tumors.” J. Clin. Oncology. 2004 Suppl.Abstract 3068 14s (2004)), LU103793 and cemadotin.

Aurora kinases, including Aurora A, Aurora B and Aurora C, areserine/threonine kinases that function in mitosis. Aurora kinases havebeen targeted as inhibitors of mitosis. Aurora A has its function in theprophase of mitosis and is required for the centrosomes to functioncorrectly. Aurora B functions in the attachment of the mitotic spindleto the centromere. Aurora kinase inhibitors include AZD-1152, CYC-116,AS-703569 (or R-763), MLN-8054, PHA-739358, AT-9283, SNS-314,AZD-1152-HQPA, MLN-8237, KW-2449, PF-3814735, ENMD-2076 (orENMD-981693), PHA-739385, MK-0457 (or VX-680) and MK-5108 (or VX-689).For more, see: Gautschi, Oliver, et al. “Aurora Kinases as AnticancerDrug Targets.” Clin. Cancer Res. 14(6) (Mar. 15, 2008): pp. 1639-48.

Polo-like kinases (“Plks”), including polo-like kinase 1 (“Plk1”),polo-like kinase 2 (“Plk2”), polo-like kinase 3 (“Plk3”) and polo-likekinase 4 (“Plk4”), are involved in the formation and changes in themitotic spindle and in the activation of CDK/cyclin complexes duringmitosis. Polo-like kinases have been targeted as inhibitors of mitosis.Polo-like kinase inhibitors include ON-01910Na (or ON-1910Na orOnc-01910), BI-2536 (See: Steegmaier, Martin, et al. “BI 2536, a Potentand Selective Inhibitor of Polo-like Kinase 1, Inhibits Tumor Growth InVivo.” Current Biology, 17 (Feb. 20, 2007): pp. 316-322) and GSK-461364(or GSK-461364A).

Kinesins are a type of motor protein. Mitotic kinesins are enzymesessential for assembly and function of the mitotic spindle. Mitotickinesins play essential roles during all phases of mitosis. Duringmitosis, kinesins organize the microtubules into the bipolar structurethat is the mitotic spindle Inhibition of mitotic kinesin causesmalformation or dysfunction of the mitotic spindle, frequently resultingin cell cycle arrest and apoptosis (cell death).

Among the identified mitotic kinesins is kinesin spindle protein(“KSP”). During mitosis, KSP associates with microtubules of the mitoticspindle Inhibition of KSP prevents spindle pole separation during theprometaphase, giving rise to monopolar spindles causing mitotic arrestand induction of programmed cell death. Human KSP is also called HsEg5.

United States Patent Application Publication 2006/0100161 describescompounds including2-(3-aminopropyl)-5-(3-fluorophenyl)-N-(2-methoxyethyl)-N-methyl-2-phenyl-1,3,4-thiadiazole-3(2H)-carboxamide(hereinafter “Compound 1”),2-(3-aminopropyl)-5-(3-fluorophenyl)-N-methoxy-N-methyl-2-phenyl-1,3,4-thiadiazole-3(2H)-carboxamide(hereinafter “Compound 2”),2-(3-aminopropyl)-5-(2,5-difluorophenyl)-N-methoxy-N-methyl-2-phenyl-1,3,4-thiadiazole-3(2H)-carboxamide (hereinafter “Compound 3”),(S)-2-(3-aminopropyl)-5-(2,5-difluorophenyl)-N-methoxy-N-methyl-2-phenyl-1,3,4-thiadiazole-3(2H)-carboxamide(hereinafter “Compound 4”),(R)-2-(3-aminopropyl)-5-(2,5-difluorophenyl)-N-methoxy-N-methyl-2-phenyl-1,3,4-thiadiazole-3(2H)-carboxamide(hereinafter “Compound 5”), and2-(3-aminopropyl)-5-(2,5-difluorophenyl)-N-hydroxy-N-methyl-2-phenyl-1,3,4-thiadiazole-3(2H)-carboxamide (hereinafter “Compound 6”). Compounds 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and6 (collectively the “'161 KSP Inhibitors”) are KSP inhibitors.

KSP inhibitors include ispinesib (or SB-715992 or CK-0238273; See 2008ASCO Poster: “A Phase I-II Open-Label Trial of Ispinesib on anAlternating Dosing Schedule in Chemotherapy-Naïve Patients with LocallyAdvanced or Metastatic Breast Cancer (MBC).”www.cytokinetics.com/pdf/ASCO2008A.pdf), the '161 KSP Inhibitors,AZD-4877, CRx-026, SB-743921 (SB-921), MK-0731, EMD-534085 and ARQ 621.Ispinesib has been tested in a wide range of tumor types and is beingtested in human clinical trials.

Among the other motor proteins that act during mitosis, small moleculeinhibitors have also been described for centromere associated protein E(“CENP-E”). CENP-E is a motor protein (See Chan, G. K. T., et al.“Characterization of the Kinetochore Binding Domain of CENP-E RevealsInteractions with the Kinetochore Proteins CENP-F and hBUBR1.” J. CellBiology. Vol. 143, No. 1 (Oct. 5, 1998): pp. 49-63) and can beclassified as a type of mitotic kinesin. CENP-E inhibitors includeGSK-295 (or GSK-923295).

Many inhibitors of mitosis have been tested as therapeutics for thetreatment of diseases. Many non-tubulin inhibitors of mitosis have beentested clinically as therapeutics. Various dosing schedules have beenused in these tests of inhibitors of mitosis. There remains a need foreffective dosing schedules for inhibitors of mitosis that allows potentbiological activity with manageable toxicity. There remains a particularneed for effective dosing schedules for inhibitors of mitosis thatallows potent anti-cancer activity with manageable toxicity.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Surprisingly, it has been found that two doses between the biologicallyeffective dose and the maximum tolerated dose of an inhibitor of mitosisin a dosing cycle that allows for the recovery or subsiding of sideeffects, wherein the second dose is administered 24 to 48 hours afterthe first dose may be used to treat diseases caused by cell division orthat are treated by inhibiting mitosis.

In one aspect, the present invention relates to a method for treatingcancer using inhibitors of mitosis on a dosing schedule.

Another aspect of the present invention provides a method for treatingdiseases caused by cell division or that are treated by inhibitingmitosis by administering two doses of an inhibitor of mitosis betweenthe biologically effective dose and the maximum tolerated dose in adosing cycle that allows for the recovery or subsiding of side effects,wherein the second dose is administered 24 to 48 hours after the firstdose.

Another aspect of the present invention provides a method for treatingdiseases caused by cell division or that are treated by inhibitingmitosis by administering two doses of an inhibitor of mitosis betweenthe biologically effective dose and the maximum tolerated dose in a 14to 21 day dosing cycle, wherein the first dose is administered on dayone of the dosing cycle and the second dose is administered on day twoor three of the dosing cycle.

Another aspect of the present invention provides a method of treating ahyperproliferative disease or gout by administering two doses of aninhibitor of mitosis between the biologically effective dose and themaximum tolerated dose in a 14 to 21 day dosing cycle, wherein the firstdose is administered on day one of the dosing cycle and the second doseis administered on day two or day three of the dosing cycle.

Another aspect of the present invention provides a method of treatingcancer by administering two doses of an inhibitor of mitosis between thebiologically effective dose and the maximum tolerated dose in a 14 to 21day dosing cycle, wherein the first dose is administered on day one ofthe dosing cycle and the second dose is administered on day two or daythree of the dosing cycle.

Another aspect of the present invention provides a method of treatingcancer by administering to a patient in need two doses of an inhibitorof mitosis selected from the '161 KSP Inhibitors between thebiologically effective dose and the maximum tolerated dose in a 14 to 21day dosing cycle, wherein the first dose is administered on day one ofthe dosing cycle and the second dose is administered on day two or threeof the dosing cycle.

Another aspect of the present invention provides a method for treating apatient afflicted with diseases caused by cell division or that aretreated by inhibiting mitosis comprising administering an inhibitor ofmitosis in two doses to the patient over a dosing cycle of 14 to 21days, wherein a first dose is administered on day one of the dosingcycle, and a second dose is administered on day two or day three of thedosing cycle, and wherein the doses comprise a composition containingbetween the biologically effective dose and the maximum tolerated doseof the inhibitor.

Another aspect of the present invention provides the use of an inhibitorof mitosis for the preparation of a pharmaceutical composition for thetreatment of diseases caused by cell division or that are treated byinhibiting mitosis comprising administering the composition to a patientin need over a 14 to 21 day dosing cycle a first dose of the inhibitoron day one of the dosing cycle, followed by a second dose of theinhibitor on day two or three of the dosing cycle, wherein thecomposition comprises between the biologically effective dose and themaximum tolerated dose of the inhibitor.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 shows an apoptosis washout experiment.

FIG. 2 shows caspase 3/7 activity over time in HT-29 cells in vitro.

FIG. 3 shows caspase 3/7 activity over time in RPMI 8226 cells in vitro.

FIG. 4 shows the amount of monopolar spindles in subcutaneous HT-29xenografts in nude mice at various time points for two different dosingschedules.

FIG. 5 shows the amount of monopolar spindles in subcutaneous HT-29xenografts in nude mice at various time points for two different dosingschedules.

FIG. 6 shows the percentage of apoptotic cells in subcutaneous HT-29xenografts in nude mice at various time points for two different dosingschedules.

FIG. 7 shows the percentage of apoptotic cells in subcutaneous HT-29xenografts in nude mice at various time points for two different dosingschedules.

FIG. 8 shows the percentage of cells with monopolar spindles and bipolarspindles in subcutaneous HT-29 xenografts in nude mice at 24 hours and48 hours for various dose amounts.

FIG. 9 shows the percentage of apoptotic cells in subcutaneous HT-29xenografts in nude mice at 24 hours and 48 hours for various doseamounts.

FIG. 10 shows a tumor growth inhibition (“TGI”) experiment in nude micewith subcutaneous HT-29 xenografts.

FIG. 11 shows a TGI experiment in nude mice with subcutaneous HT-29xenografts.

FIG. 12 shows a TGI experiment in nude mice with subcutaneous HT-29xenografts.

FIG. 13 shows a TGI experiment in nude mice with subcutaneous HT-29xenografts.

FIG. 14 shows a TGI experiment in nude mice with subcutaneous HT-29xenografts.

FIG. 15 shows a TGI experiment in nude mice with subcutaneous HT-29xenografts.

FIG. 16 shows a TGI experiment in nude mice with subcutaneous HT-29xenografts.

FIG. 17 shows the percentage of monopolar spindles in subcutaneousRPMI8226 xenografts in SCID-beige mice at various time points fordifferent dosing schedules.

FIG. 18 shows the percentage of apoptotic cells in subcutaneous RPMI8226 xenografts in SCID-beige mice at various time points after fordifferent dosing schedules.

FIG. 19 shows the percentage of bipolar spindles in subcutaneous RPMI8226 xenografts in SCID-beige mice at various time points for differentdosing schedules.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference will now be made in detail to certain embodiments of theinvention. While the invention will be described in conjunction with theenumerated embodiments, it will be understood that they are not intendedto limit the invention to those embodiments. On the contrary, theinvention is intended to cover all alternatives, modifications, andequivalents, which may be included within the scope of the presentinvention as defined by the claims. One skilled in the art willrecognize many methods and materials similar or equivalent to thosedescribed herein, which could be used in the practice of the presentinvention. The present invention is in no way limited to the methods andmaterials described. In the event that one or more of the incorporatedliterature and similar materials differs from or contradicts thisapplication, including but not limited to defined terms, term usage,described techniques, or the like, this application controls.

DEFINITIONS

The terms “cancer” and “cancerous” refer to or describe thephysiological condition in mammals that is typically characterized byunregulated cell growth. A “tumor” comprises one or more cancerouscells. Examples of cancer include, but are not limited to, carcinoma,lymphoma, blastoma, sarcoma, and leukemia or lymphoid malignancies. Moreparticular examples of such cancers include squamous cell cancer (e.g.,epithelial squamous cell cancer), lung cancer including small cell lungcancer, non-small cell lung cancer (“NSCLC”), adenocarcinoma of the lungand squamous carcinoma of the lung, cancer of the peritoneum,hepatocellular cancer, gastric or stomach cancer includinggastrointestinal cancer, pancreatic cancer, glioblastoma, cervicalcancer, ovarian cancer, liver cancer, bladder cancer, hepatoma, breastcancer, colon cancer, rectal cancer, colorectal cancer, endometrial oruterine carcinoma, salivary gland carcinoma, kidney or renal cancer,prostate cancer, vulval cancer, thyroid cancer, hepatic carcinoma, analcarcinoma, penile carcinoma, skin cancer including melanoma, head andneck cancer, multiple myeloma and acute myeloid leukemia.

The terms “treat” or “treatment” refer to therapeutic, prophylactic,palliative or preventative measures. For purposes of this invention,beneficial or desired clinical results include, but are not limited to,alleviation of symptoms, diminishment of extent of disease, stabilized(i.e., not worsening) state of disease, delay or slowing of diseaseprogression, amelioration or palliation of the disease state, andremission (whether partial or total), whether detectable orundetectable. “Treatment” can also mean prolonging survival as comparedto expected survival if not receiving treatment. Those in need oftreatment include those already with the condition or disorder, as wellas those prone to have the condition or disorder or those in which thecondition or disorder is to be prevented.

Methods of Treating

The present invention provides a method for treating diseases caused bycell division or that are treated by inhibiting mitosis by administeringtwo doses of an inhibitor of mitosis between the biologically effectivedose and the maximum tolerated dose in a dosing cycle that allows forthe recovery or subsiding of side effects, wherein the second dose isadministered 24 to 48 hours after the first dose.

Administering an inhibitor of mitosis to cells puts the cells intomitotic arrest. However, mitotic arrest does not necessarily lead thecells to apoptosis or result in antitumor efficacy (See, for example:Shi, Jue, et al. “Cell Type Variation in Responses to Antimitotic Drugsthat Target Microtubules and Kinesin-5.” Cancer Research. 68(9) (May 1,2008): pp. 3269-76; and 2002 AACR Poster: “A Pharmacodynamic marker ofmitosis demonstrates the anti-mitotic activity of SB-715992, aninhibitor of the mitotic kinesin KSP.”www.cytokinetics.com/pdf/AACR_2002_Poster_1336.pdf). It has been foundthat the cells must stay in arrest for a duration of time beforeapoptosis peaks (See FIG. 1). The duration of time needed for apoptosisis variable between cell types and types of tumors (See FIGS. 2 and 3).Also, administering two doses instead of one dose increases the durationof the biological effect (See FIGS. 4 and 5), which in the case ofinhibitors of mitosis increases the duration and magnitude of apoptosis(See FIGS. 6 and 7). Therefore, an appropriate dosing schedule of aninhibitor of mitosis inhibitor should keep the cells in arrest for anappropriate duration of time to be effective.

Administering an inhibitor of mitosis to cells interferes with mitosis.For example, administering a KSP inhibitor increases the amount ofmonopolar spindles. However, a minimum amount of the inhibitor must beadministered in order to achieve the desired biological response (SeeFIG. 8). Therefore, an appropriate dosing schedule of an inhibitor ofmitosis must achieve a biologically effective dose of the inhibitor tobe effective. The biologically effective dose of a KSP inhibitor is thedose of the inhibitor that results in the appearance of arrested,monopolar spindles. These can be seen by immunohistochemical techniques(See FIGS. 4, 5 and 8). The biologically effective dose of otherinhibitors of mitosis will result in mitotic aberrations consistent withtheir target profile.

If the dosing schedule fails to reach the biologically effective dose,then the proper biological response will not transpire. Also, if thedosing schedule fails to hold the cells in arrest long enough, the cellsmay not go to apoptosis. Therefore, an effective dosing schedule of aninhibitor of mitosis must be dosed at least at the biologicallyeffective dose to get the intended biological effect (i.e., mitoticarrest), as well as, being dosed for a period of time long enough tokeep the cells in arrest and induce apoptosis (See FIGS. 4-9 and 17-19).

It has been found that a split dose divided over two days may be moreefficacious than the same total dose given on one day (See FIG. 16).

For tumors in which cells rapidly enter apoptosis following mitoticblock (See FIG. 3), mitotic arrest (See FIG. 17) or apoptosis (See FIG.18) may not directly correlate with the enhanced efficacy for inhibitingtumor growth on a divided dose schedule (See FIG. 16). In such cases,the fewer cells observed in mitotic arrest and apoptosis may reflect therapid cell death, such that they are no longer detectable in the tumor.However, the amount of cells with bipolar spindles, indicative ofnormally cycling cells in mitosis, may inversely correlate with enhancedefficacy (See FIG. 19). In such cases, fewer cells with bipolar spindlesindicate a more complete mitotic block, with fewer cells escaping theblock and re-entering the cell cycle.

One embodiment of the present invention provides a method for treatingdiseases caused by cell division or that are treated by inhibitingmitosis by administering two doses of an inhibitor of mitosis betweenthe biologically effective dose and the maximum tolerated dose in adosing cycle that allows for the recovery or subsiding of side effects.

Another embodiment of the present invention provides a method fortreating diseases caused by cell division or that are treated byinhibiting mitosis by administering a dosing cycle comprising two dosesof an inhibitor of mitosis selected from the group consisting of the'161 KSP Inhibitors, wherein the doses are between the biologicallyeffective dose and the maximum tolerated dose, wherein the second doseis administered 12 to 60 hours after the first dose, and wherein thelength of the dosing cycle allows for the recovery or subsiding of sideeffects.

The present invention is directed to treating diseases caused by celldivision or that are treated by inhibiting mitosis. Inhibitors ofmitosis can be used to treat a variety of diseases, includinghyperproliferative diseases and gout. Hyperproliferative diseasesinclude cancer, autoimmune disease, arthritis, graft rejection,inflammatory bowel disease, or proliferation induced after a medicalprocedure.

In certain embodiments, the invention provides a method for treatingcancer. More particularly, cancers that may be treated by thecompositions and methods of the invention include, but are not limitedto: Soft Tissue Cancers: sarcoma (angiosarcoma, fibrosarcoma,rhabdomyosarcoma, liposarcoma), myxoma, rhabdomyoma, fibroma, lipoma andteratoma; Lung: bronchogenic carcinoma (squamous cell, undifferentiatedsmall cell, undifferentiated large cell, adenocarcinoma), alveolar(bronchiolar) carcinoma, bronchial adenoma, sarcoma, lymphoma,chondromatous hamartoma, mesothelioma; Gastrointestinal: esophagus(squamous cell carcinoma, adenocarcinoma, leiomyosarcoma, lymphoma),stomach (carcinoma, lymphoma, leiomyosarcoma), pancreas (ductaladenocarcinoma, insulinoma, glucagonoma, gastrinoma, carcinoid tumors,vipoma), small bowel (adenocarcinoma, lymphoma, carcinoid tumors,Kaposi's sarcoma, leiomyoma, hemangioma, lipoma, neurofibroma, fibroma),large bowel (adenocarcinoma, tubular adenoma, villous adenoma,hamartoma, leiomyoma); Genitourinary tract: kidney (adenocarcinoma,Wilm's tumor [nephroblastoma], lymphoma, leukemia), bladder and urethra(squamous cell carcinoma, transitional cell carcinoma, adenocarcinoma),prostate (adenocarcinoma, sarcoma), testis (seminoma, teratoma,embryonal carcinoma, teratocarcinoma, choriocarcinoma, sarcoma,interstitial cell carcinoma, fibroma, fibroadenoma, adenomatoid tumors,lipoma); Liver: hepatoma (hepatocellular carcinoma), cholangiocarcinoma,hepatoblastoma, angiosarcoma, hepatocellular adenoma, hemangioma; Bone:osteogenic sarcoma (osteosarcoma), fibrosarcoma, malignant fibroushistiocytoma, chondrosarcoma, Ewing's sarcoma, malignant lymphoma(reticulum cell sarcoma), multiple myeloma, malignant giant cell tumorchordoma, osteochronfroma (osteocartilaginous exostoses), benignchondroma, chondroblastoma, chondromyxofibroma, osteoid osteoma andgiant cell tumors; Nervous system: skull (osteoma, hemangioma,granuloma, xanthoma, osteitis deformans), meninges (meningioma,meningiosarcoma, gliomatosis), brain (astrocytoma, medulloblastoma,glioma, ependymoma, germinoma [pinealoma], glioblastoma multiform,oligodendroglioma, schwannoma, retinoblastoma, congenital tumors),spinal cord neurofibroma, meningioma, glioma, sarcoma); Gynecological:uterus (endometrial carcinoma), cervix (cervical carcinoma, pre-tumorcervical dysplasia), ovaries (ovarian carcinoma [serouscystadenocarcinoma, mucinous cystadenocarcinoma, unclassifiedcarcinoma], granulosa-thecal cell tumors, Sertoli-Leydig cell tumors,dysgerminoma, malignant teratoma), vulva (squamous cell carcinoma,intraepithelial carcinoma, adenocarcinoma, fibrosarcoma, melanoma),vagina (clear cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, botryoid sarcoma(embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma], fallopian tubes (carcinoma); Hematologic:blood and bone marrow (myeloid leukemia [acute and chronic], acutelymphoblastic leukemia, chronic lymphocytic leukemia, myeloproliferativediseases, multiple myeloma, myelodysplastic syndrome), Hodgkin'sdisease, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma [malignant lymphoma]; Skin: malignantmelanoma, basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, Kaposi'ssarcoma, moles dysplastic nevi, lipoma, angioma, dermatofibroma,keloids, psoriasis; and Adrenal glands: neuroblastoma. The term“cancerous cell” as provided herein, includes a cell afflicted by anyone of the above identified conditions.

In certain embodiments, the present invention provides a method oftreating diseases caused by cell division or that are treated byinhibiting mitosis. In certain embodiments, the present inventionprovides a method of treating solid tumors. The solid tumors includetumors of the skin, breast, brain, cervical carcinomas, testicularcarcinomas, etc. In certain embodiments, the solid tumors are selectedfrom breast cancer, colorectal cancer, non-small cell lung cancer,pancreatic cancer, bladder cancer, salivary gland cancer (adenoidcystic), esophageal cancer, mesothelioma cancer, and mixed small celllung cancer/non-small cell lung cancer.

In certain embodiments, the present invention provides a method oftreating diseases caused by cell division or that are treated byinhibiting mitosis. In certain embodiments, the present inventionprovides a method of treating hematological tumors. The hematologicaltumors include lymphomas, leukemia, multiple myeloma and the like. Incertain embodiments, the present invention provides a method of treatinglymphomas, leukemia or multiple myeloma. In further embodiments, amethod of treating advanced myeloid leukemia, or relapsed or refractorymultiple myeloma is provided.

There are a multitude of variables when developing an effective dosingschedule. Particularly with inhibitors of mitosis, dosing needs tocontinue for a period of time long enough and at a sufficient exposurelevel to be biologically effective. It has been found that two doses ofinhibitors of mitosis can provide this effective dosing schedule.

The first dose is administered starting the timing of the dosing cycle.This first dose is said to be on day one of the dosing cycle. Thepresent invention provides two doses of an inhibitor of mitosis, whereinthe second dose is on day two or day three of the dosing cycle.Alternatively, dose two is within 24 to 48 hours of the first dose. Thisaspect of the present method allows for the dosing schedule to hold thecells in mitotic arrest long enough to promote apoptosis or exit ofmitosis.

Certain embodiments provide that the second dose is administered 24 to48 hours after the first dose. The timing of this second dose need notbe exactly 24 to 48 hours after the first dose. This is just aconvenient way of saying the second dose should be administered one ortwo days after the first dose. Therefore, the second dose isadministered approximately 24 to 48 hours after the first dose. Thissecond dose may be administered 12 to 60 hours after the first dose.

Certain embodiments provide that the second dose is administered 24hours after the first dose. The timing of this second dose need not beexactly 24 hours after the first dose. This is just a convenient way ofsaying the second dose should be administered the following day.Therefore, the second dose is administered approximately 24 hours afterthe first dose. This second dose may be administered 12 to 36 hoursafter the first dose.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the second dose isadministered on day two of the dosing cycle. In another embodiment, thesecond dose is administered 24 hours after the first dose.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the second dose isadministered on day two of the dosing cycle. In another embodiment, thesecond dose is administered 24 hours after the first dose. Theseparticular embodiments have the advantage of being dosed on back to backdays, which allows for more convenience to the patients. It ispreferable to have a convenient dosing schedule for patients to increasepatient compliance with the method of treatment. This is especially trueof therapeutics that are administered to patients via intravenousinjection, as additional doses may require additional visits to ahospital or doctor to receive the injections.

Certain embodiments provide that the second dose is administered 48hours after the first dose. The timing of this second dose need not beexactly 48 hours after the first dose. This is just a convenient way ofsaying the second dose should be administered two days later. Therefore,the second dose is administered approximately 48 hours after the firstdose. This second dose may be administered 36 to 60 hours after thefirst dose.

Many types of inhibitors of mitosis are known, including vincaalkaloids, taxanes, epothilones, dolastatin and dolastatin analogues,aurora kinases, polo-like kinases, and mitotic kinesin inhibitors.

In certain embodiments of the present invention, the inhibitor ofmitosis is selected from the group consisting of vinca alkaloids,taxanes, epothilones, dolastatin and dolastatin analogues, aurora kinaseinhibitors, polo-like kinase inhibitors, and mitotic kinesin inhibitors.

In certain embodiments of the present invention, the inhibitor ofmitosis is a mitotic kinesin inhibitor. In a further embodiment of thepresent invention, the inhibitor of mitosis is a CENP-E inhibitor or aKSP inhibitor. In a further embodiment of the present invention, theinhibitor of mitosis is a KSP inhibitor.

In certain embodiments of the present invention, the inhibitor ofmitosis is selected from the group consisting of GSK-295, ispinesib, the'161 KSP Inhibitors, AZD-4877, CRx-026, SB-743921 (SB-921), MK-0731,EMD-534085 and ARQ 621.

In certain embodiments of the present invention, the inhibitor ofmitosis is a KSP inhibitor.

In certain embodiments of the present invention, the inhibitor ofmitosis is selected from the group consisting of ispinesib, the '161 KSPInhibitors, AZD-4877, CRx-026, SB-743921 (SB-921), MK-0731, EMD-534085and ARQ 621.

In certain embodiments of the present invention, the inhibitor ofmitosis is selected from ispinesib, the '161 KSP Inhibitors andAZD-4877.

In certain embodiments of the present invention, the inhibitor ofmitosis is selected from the group consisting of the '161 KSPInhibitors. In a further embodiment of the present invention, theinhibitor of mitosis is Compound 1. In a further embodiment of thepresent invention, the inhibitor of mitosis is Compound 2. In a furtherembodiment of the present invention, the inhibitor of mitosis isCompound 3. In a further embodiment of the present invention, theinhibitor of mitosis is Compound 4. In a further embodiment of thepresent invention, the inhibitor of mitosis is Compound 5. In a furtherembodiment of the present invention, the inhibitor of mitosis isCompound 6.

In certain embodiments of the present invention, the inhibitor ofmitosis is selected from the group consisting of aurora kinaseinhibitors, polo-like kinase inhibitors, mitotic kinesin inhibitors andCENP-E inhibitors. In certain embodiments of the present inventions, theinhibitor of mitosis is selected from the group consisting of SU-6668,AZD-1152, CYC-116, AS-703569, MLN-8054, R763, PHA-739358, AT-9283,SNS-314, AZD-1152-HQPA, MLN-8237, KW-2449, PF-3814735, ENMD-2076,PHA-739385, MK-0457, MK-5108, ON-01910Na, BI-2536, GSK-461364,ispinesib, the '161 KSP Inhibitors, AZD-4877, CRx-026, SB-743921(SB-921), MK-0731, EMD-534085, ARQ 621 and GSK-295.

In certain embodiments of the present invention, the inhibitor ofmitosis is selected from the group consisting of vinblastine,vincristine, vindesine, vinorelbine, paclitaxel, docetaxel, Abraxane,colchicine, epothilone A, epothilone B, epothilone D, ixabepilone,dolastatin 10, dolastatin 15, synthadotin, LU103793, cemadotin, SU-6668,AZD-1152, CYC-116, AS-703569, MLN-8054, R763, PHA-739358, AT-9283,SNS-314, AZD-1152-HQPA, MLN-8237, KW-2449, PF-3814735, ENMD-2076,PHA-739385, MK-0457, MK-5108, ON-01910Na, BI-2536, GSK-461364, GSK-295,ispinesib, the '161 KSP Inhibitors, AZD-4877, CRx-026, SB-743921(SB-921), MK-0731, EMD-534085, ARQ 621 and GSK-295.

In certain embodiments of the present invention, the inhibitor ofmitosis is a vinca alkaloid. In a further embodiment, the inhibitor ofmitosis is selected from the group consisting of vinblastine,vincristine, vindesine and vinorelbine.

In certain embodiments of the present invention, the inhibitor ofmitosis is a taxane. In a further embodiment, the inhibitor of mitosisis selected from the group consisting of paclitaxel, Abraxane anddocetaxel.

In certain embodiments of the present invention, the inhibitor ofmitosis is colchicine.

In certain embodiments of the present invention, the inhibitor ofmitosis is an epothilone. In a further embodiment, the inhibitor ofmitosis is selected from the group consisting of epothilone A,epothilone B, epothilone D and ixabepilone.

In certain embodiments of the present invention, the inhibitor ofmitosis is dolastatin or a dolastatin analogue. In a further embodiment,the inhibitor of mitosis is selected from the group consisting ofdolastatin 10, dolastatin 15, synthadotin, LU103793 and cemadotin.

In certain embodiments of the present invention, the inhibitor ofmitosis is an aurora kinase inhibitor. In a further embodiment, theinhibitor of mitosis is selected from the group consisting of SU-6668,AZD-1152, CYC-116, AS-703569, MLN-8054, R763, PHA-739358, AT-9283,SNS-314, AZD-1152-HQPA, MLN-8237, KW-2449, PF-3814735, ENMD-2076,PHA-739385, MK-0457 and MK-5108.

In certain embodiments of the present invention, the inhibitor ofmitosis is a polo-like kinase inhibitor. In a further embodiment, theinhibitor of mitosis is selected from the group consisting ofON-01910Na, BI-2536 and GSK-461364.

In certain embodiments of the present invention, the inhibitor ofmitosis is a CENP-E inhibitor. In a further embodiment, the inhibitor ofmitosis is GSK-295.

As discussed above, the proper amount of inhibitor of mitosis must bedosed in order to reach the desired biological effect. Thus, aneffective dosing schedule will dose at least a minimum amount thatreaches the desired biological effect, or biologically effective dose.However, the dose should not be so high as to outweigh the benefit ofthe biological effect with unacceptable side effects. Therefore, aneffective dosing schedule will dose no more than the maximum tolerateddose (“MTD”). The present invention provides a method of treating apatient with a dosing schedule that includes two doses of an inhibitorof mitosis, wherein the two doses of the inhibitor are between thebiologically effective dose and the maximum tolerated dose.

The maximum tolerated dose is defined as the highest dose that producesan acceptable incidence of dose-limiting toxicities (“DLT”). Doses thatcause an unacceptable rate of DLT are considered non-tolerated.Typically, the MTD for a particular schedule is established in phase 1clinical trials. These are usually conducted in patients by starting ata safe starting dose of 1/10 the severe toxic dose (“STD10”) in rodents(on a mg/m² basis) and accruing patients in cohorts of three, escalatingthe dose according to a modified Fibonacci sequence in which ever higherescalation steps have ever decreasing relative increments (e.g., doseincreases of 100%, 65%, 50%, 40%, and 30% to 35% thereafter). The doseescalation is continued in cohorts of three patients until anon-tolerated dose is reached. The next lower dose level that producesan acceptable rate of DLT is considered to be the MTD.

Also, the MTD of an inhibitor of mitosis varies depending on theinhibitor, species, formulation and dosing schedule. For instance,dosing only on day one versus days one and two versus days one throughthree over a seven, fourteen, twenty-one or twenty-eight day dosingcycle may all have different MTDs. However, as discussed above, aneffective dosing schedule needs to dose the inhibitor high enough to bebiologically effective and long enough to keep the cells in mitoticarrest. Dosing on day one only may reach the biologically effectivedose, but may not be long enough to get the cells to apoptosis.Alternatively, dosing days one through three may dose long enough, butmay not dose high enough to reach the biologically effective dose. Thismay be due to the MTD of dosing for three days being lower than thebiologically effective dose. Thus, an effective dosing schedule willhave an MTD equal to or greater than the biologically effective dose.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the two doses of theinhibitor of mitosis are administered between the biologically effectivedose and the maximum tolerated dose.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the two doses of theinhibitor of mitosis are administered at the maximum tolerated dose.

Typically when treating a hyperproliferative disease such as cancer,patients are dosed at the MTD of a particular compound so that themaximum benefit in the treatment can be reached. Accordingly, oneembodiment of the present invention provides a method of treating cancerby administering two doses of an inhibitor of mitosis, wherein the twodoses are the maximum tolerated dose of the inhibitor.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the second dose isadministered on day three of the dosing cycle. In another embodiment,the second dose is administered 48 hours after the first dose.

A dosing cycle (or dosing schedule) is established so that after thefirst cycle is completed additional cycles may be administered untilsuch treatment is no longer necessary or effective. One of the factorsin determining the length of a dosing cycle is allowing for the recoveryor subsiding of side effects. After administering a pharmaceuticalcomposition or therapeutic, particularly an inhibitor of mitosis,patients may experience side effects. Depending on the type of sideeffects, a recovery or subsiding of side effects may be necessary. Thisrecovery or subsiding of side effects may take time, which in turn cancontrol the length of the dosing cycle before a second cycle may begin.

One of the side effects of inhibitors of mitosis, and particularly KSPinhibitors, is acute neutropenia. Neutropenia is a hematologicaldisorder characterized by an abnormally low number of neutrophilgranulocytes, a type of white blood cell. Generally, patients whoexperience this type of side effect from an inhibitor of mitosis (or KSPinhibitor) recover or the neutropenia subsides as time passes withoutadditional doses of the inhibitor.

When administering a single dose of a KSP inhibitor each cycle, manypatients recover from the side effects or the side effects subside onday 14 to day 21 of the dosing cycle. Accordingly, the present inventionprovides a dosing schedule of 14 to 21 days.

Certain embodiments provide that the dosing cycle is 14 to 21 days. Thedosing cycle need not be exactly 14 to 21 days. This is just aconvenient way of saying the dosing cycle should be two to three weeks.Therefore, the dosing cycle is approximately 14 to 21 days. The dosingcycle may be 11 to 24 days.

One embodiment of the present invention provides a dosing cycle thatallows for the recovery or subsiding of side effects. In one embodimentof the present invention, the dosing schedule is 14 to 21 days.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the dosing schedule is14 days.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the dosing schedule 11to 17 days. In a further embodiment, the dosing schedule is 14 days.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the dosing schedule is21 days.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the dosing schedule is18 to 24 days. In a further embodiment, the dosing schedule is 21 days.

Certain embodiments of the present invention provide a method fortreating diseases caused by cell division or that are treated byinhibiting mitosis by administering two doses of an inhibitor of mitosisbetween the biologically effective dose and the maximum tolerated dosein a dosing cycle that allows for the recovery or subsiding of sideeffects, wherein the second dose is administered 24 to 48 hours afterthe first dose. In a further embodiment, the two doses are at themaximum tolerated dose.

Another embodiment provides a method for treating diseases caused bycell division or that are treated by inhibiting mitosis by administeringtwo doses of an inhibitor of mitosis between the biologically effectivedose and the maximum tolerated dose in a dosing cycle that allows forthe recovery or subsiding of side effects, wherein the second dose isadministered 24 hours after the first dose. In a further embodiment, thetwo doses are at the maximum tolerated dose.

Another embodiment provides a method for treating diseases caused bycell division or that are treated by inhibiting mitosis by administeringtwo doses of an inhibitor of mitosis between the biologically effectivedose and the maximum tolerated dose in a dosing cycle that allows forthe recovery or subsiding of side effects, wherein the second dose isadministered 48 hours after the first dose. In a further embodiment, thetwo doses are at the maximum tolerated dose.

Certain embodiments of the present invention provide a method fortreating diseases caused by cell division or that are treated byinhibiting mitosis by administering two doses of an inhibitor of mitosisbetween the biologically effective dose and the maximum tolerated dosein a 14 to 21 day dosing cycle, wherein the second dose is administeredone or two days after the first dose. In a further embodiment, the twodoses are at the maximum tolerated dose.

Another embodiment of the present invention provides a method fortreating diseases caused by cell division or that are treated byinhibiting mitosis by administering two doses of an inhibitor of mitosisbetween the biologically effective dose and the maximum tolerated dosein a 14 to 21 day dosing cycle, wherein the first dose is administeredon day one of the dosing cycle and the second dose is administered onday two or day three of the dosing cycle. In a further embodiment, thetwo doses are at the maximum tolerated dose.

Another embodiment of the present invention provides a method fortreating diseases caused by cell division or that are treated byinhibiting mitosis by administering two doses of an inhibitor of mitosisbetween the biologically effective dose and the maximum tolerated dosein a 14 to 21 day dosing cycle, wherein the first dose is administeredon day one of the dosing cycle and the second dose is administered onday two of the dosing cycle. In a further embodiment, the two doses areat the maximum tolerated dose.

Another embodiment of the present invention provides a method fortreating diseases caused by cell division or that are treated byinhibiting mitosis by administering two doses of an inhibitor of mitosisbetween the biologically effective dose and the maximum tolerated dosein a 14 to 21 day dosing cycle, wherein the first dose is administeredon day one of the dosing cycle and the second dose is administered onday three of the dosing cycle. In a further embodiment, the two dosesare at the maximum tolerated dose.

Another embodiment of the present invention provides a method fortreating diseases caused by cell division or that are treated byinhibiting mitosis by administering two doses of an inhibitor of mitosisbetween the biologically effective dose and the maximum tolerated dosein a 14 day dosing cycle, wherein the first dose is administered on dayone of the dosing cycle and the second dose is administered on day twoor day three of the dosing cycle. In a further embodiment, the seconddose is administered on day two of the dosing cycle. In another furtherembodiment, the second dose is administered on day three of the dosingcycle. In a further embodiment, the two doses are at the maximumtolerated dose.

Another embodiment of the present invention provides a method fortreating diseases caused by cell division or that are treated byinhibiting mitosis by administering two doses of an inhibitor of mitosisbetween the biologically effective dose and the maximum tolerated dosein a 21 day dosing cycle, wherein the first dose is administered on dayone of the dosing cycle and the second dose is administered on day twoor day three of the dosing cycle. In a further embodiment, the seconddose is administered on day two of the dosing cycle. In another furtherembodiment, the second dose is administered on day three of the dosingcycle. In a further embodiment, the two doses are at the maximumtolerated dose.

Certain embodiments of the present invention provide a method oftreating a hyperproliferative disease or gout by administering two dosesof an inhibitor of mitosis between the biologically effective dose andthe maximum tolerated dose in a 14 to 21 day dosing cycle, wherein thefirst dose is administered on day one of the dosing cycle and the seconddose is administered on day two or day three of the dosing cycle. In afurther embodiment, the dosing cycle is 14 days. In another furtherembodiment, the dosing cycle is 21 days. In another embodiment, thesecond dose is administered on day two of the dosing cycle. In yetanother embodiment, the second dose is administered on day three of thedosing cycle. In a further embodiment, the two doses are at the maximumtolerated dose.

Certain embodiments of the present invention provide a method oftreating a hyperproliferative disease or gout by administering two dosesof an inhibitor of mitosis between the biologically effective dose andthe maximum tolerated dose in a 14 to 21 day dosing cycle, wherein thesecond dose is administered 24 to 48 hours after the first dose. In afurther embodiment, the dosing cycle is 14 days. In another furtherembodiment, the dosing cycle is 21 days. In another embodiment, thesecond dose is administered 24 hours after the first dose. In yetanother embodiment, the second dose is administered 48 hours after thefirst dose. In a further embodiment, the two doses are at the maximumtolerated dose.

Certain embodiments of the present invention provide a method oftreating a hyperproliferative disease or gout by administering two dosesof an inhibitor of mitosis selected from the group consisting of the'161 KSP Inhibitors between the biologically effective dose and themaximum tolerated dose in a 14 to 21 day dosing cycle, wherein the firstdose is administered on day one of the dosing cycle and the second doseis administered on day two or day three of the dosing cycle. In afurther embodiment, the dosing cycle is 14 days. In another furtherembodiment, the dosing cycle is 21 days. In another embodiment, thesecond dose is administered on day two of the dosing cycle. In yetanother embodiment, the second dose is administered on day three of thedosing cycle. In another embodiment of the present invention, the '161KSP Inhibitor is Compound 1. In another embodiment of the presentinvention, the '161 KSP Inhibitor is Compound 2. In another embodimentof the present invention, the '161 KSP Inhibitor is Compound 3. Inanother embodiment of the present invention, the '161 KSP Inhibitor isCompound 4. In another embodiment of the present invention, the '161 KSPInhibitor is Compound 5. In another embodiment of the present invention,the '161 KSP Inhibitor is Compound 6. In a further embodiment, the twodoses are at the maximum tolerated dose.

Certain embodiments of the present invention provide a method oftreating cancer by administering to a patient in need two doses of aninhibitor of mitosis selected from the group consisting of the '161 KSPInhibitors between the biologically effective dose and the maximumtolerated dose in a 14 to 21 day dosing cycle, wherein the first dose isadministered on day one of the dosing cycle and the second dose isadministered on day two or three of the dosing cycle. In one embodimentof the present invention, the '161 KSP Inhibitor is Compound 1. Inanother embodiment of the present invention, the '161 KSP Inhibitor isCompound 2. In another embodiment of the present invention, the '161 KSPInhibitor is Compound 3. In another embodiment of the present invention,the '161 KSP Inhibitor is Compound 4. In another embodiment of thepresent invention, the '161 KSP Inhibitor is Compound 5. In anotherembodiment of the present invention, the '161 KSP Inhibitor is Compound6. In a further embodiment, the two doses are at the maximum tolerateddose.

Another embodiment of the present invention provide a method of treatingcancer by administering to a patient in need two doses of an inhibitorof mitosis selected from the group consisting of the '161 KSP Inhibitorsbetween the biologically effective dose and the maximum tolerated dosein a 14 day dosing cycle, wherein the first dose is administered on dayone of the dosing cycle and the second dose is administered on day twoor three of the dosing cycle. In one embodiment of the presentinvention, the '161 KSP Inhibitor is Compound 1. In another embodimentof the present invention, the '161 KSP Inhibitor is Compound 2. Inanother embodiment of the present invention, the '161 KSP Inhibitor isCompound 3. In another embodiment of the present invention, the '161 KSPInhibitor is Compound 4. In another embodiment of the present invention,the '161 KSP Inhibitor is Compound 5. In another embodiment of thepresent invention, the '161 KSP Inhibitor is Compound 6. In a furtherembodiment, the two doses are at the maximum tolerated dose.

Another embodiment of the present invention provide a method of treatingcancer by administering to a patient in need two doses of an inhibitorof mitosis selected from the group consisting of the '161 KSP Inhibitorsbetween the biologically effective dose and the maximum tolerated dosein a 14 day dosing cycle, wherein the first dose is administered on dayone of the dosing cycle and the second dose is administered on day twoof the dosing cycle. In one embodiment of the present invention, the'161 KSP Inhibitor is Compound 1. In another embodiment of the presentinvention, the '161 KSP Inhibitor is Compound 2. In another embodimentof the present invention, the '161 KSP Inhibitor is Compound 3. Inanother embodiment of the present invention, the '161 KSP Inhibitor isCompound 4. In another embodiment of the present invention, the '161 KSPInhibitor is Compound 5. In another embodiment of the present invention,the '161 KSP Inhibitor is Compound 6. In a further embodiment, the twodoses are at the maximum tolerated dose.

Another embodiment of the present invention provide a method of treatingcancer by administering to a patient in need two doses of an inhibitorof mitosis selected from the group consisting of the '161 KSP Inhibitorsbetween the biologically effective dose and the maximum tolerated dosein a 14 day dosing cycle, wherein the first dose is administered on dayone of the dosing cycle and the second dose is administered on day threeof the dosing cycle. In one embodiment of the present invention, the'161 KSP Inhibitor is Compound 1. In another embodiment of the presentinvention, the '161 KSP Inhibitor is Compound 2. In another embodimentof the present invention, the '161 KSP Inhibitor is Compound 3. Inanother embodiment of the present invention, the '161 KSP Inhibitor isCompound 4. In another embodiment of the present invention, the '161 KSPInhibitor is Compound 5. In another embodiment of the present invention,the '161 KSP Inhibitor is Compound 6. In a further embodiment, the twodoses are at the maximum tolerated dose.

Another embodiment of the present invention provide a method of treatingcancer by administering to a patient in need two doses of an inhibitorof mitosis selected from the group consisting of the '161 KSP Inhibitorsbetween the biologically effective dose and the maximum tolerated dosein a 21 day dosing cycle, wherein the first dose is administered on dayone of the dosing cycle and the second dose is administered on day twoor three of the dosing cycle. In one embodiment of the presentinvention, the '161 KSP Inhibitor is Compound 1. In another embodimentof the present invention, the '161 KSP Inhibitor is Compound 2. Inanother embodiment of the present invention, the '161 KSP Inhibitor isCompound 3. In another embodiment of the present invention, the '161 KSPInhibitor is Compound 4. In another embodiment of the present invention,the '161 KSP Inhibitor is Compound 5. In another embodiment of thepresent invention, the '161 KSP Inhibitor is Compound 6. In a furtherembodiment, the two doses are at the maximum tolerated dose.

Another embodiment of the present invention provide a method of treatingcancer by administering to a patient in need two doses of an inhibitorof mitosis selected from the group consisting of the '161 KSP Inhibitorsbetween the biologically effective dose and the maximum tolerated dosein a 21 day dosing cycle, wherein the first dose is administered on dayone of the dosing cycle and the second dose is administered on day twoof the dosing cycle. In one embodiment of the present invention, the'161 KSP Inhibitor is Compound 1. In another embodiment of the presentinvention, the '161 KSP Inhibitor is Compound 2. In another embodimentof the present invention, the '161 KSP Inhibitor is Compound 3. Inanother embodiment of the present invention, the '161 KSP Inhibitor isCompound 4. In another embodiment of the present invention, the '161 KSPInhibitor is Compound 5. In another embodiment of the present invention,the '161 KSP Inhibitor is Compound 6. In a further embodiment, the twodoses are at the maximum tolerated dose.

Another embodiment of the present invention provide a method of treatingcancer by administering to a patient in need two doses of an inhibitorof mitosis selected from the group consisting of the '161 KSP Inhibitorsbetween the biologically effective dose and the maximum tolerated dosein a 21 day dosing cycle, wherein the first dose is administered on dayone of the dosing cycle and the second dose is administered on day threeof the dosing cycle. In one embodiment of the present invention, the'161 KSP Inhibitor is Compound 1. In another embodiment of the presentinvention, the '161 KSP Inhibitor is Compound 2. In another embodimentof the present invention, the '161 KSP Inhibitor is Compound 3. Inanother embodiment of the present invention, the '161 KSP Inhibitor isCompound 4. In another embodiment of the present invention, the '161 KSPInhibitor is Compound 5. In another embodiment of the present invention,the '161 KSP Inhibitor is Compound 6. In a further embodiment, the twodoses are at the maximum tolerated dose.

Certain embodiments of the present invention provide a method fortreating a patient afflicted with diseases caused by cell division orthat are treated by inhibiting mitosis comprising administering aninhibitor of mitosis in two doses to the patient over a dosing cycle of14 to 21 days, wherein a first dose is administered on day one of thedosing cycle, and a second dose is administered on day two or day threeof the dosing cycle, and wherein the doses comprise a compositioncontaining between the biologically effective dose and the maximumtolerated dose of the inhibitor. In a further embodiment, the dosingcycle is 14 days. In another further embodiment, the dosing cycle is 21days. In a further embodiment, the second dose is administered on daytwo of the dosing cycle. In another further embodiment, the second doseis administered on day three of the dosing cycle. In a furtherembodiment, the composition comprises the maximum tolerated dose of theinhibitor. In a further embodiment, the disease is a hyperproliferativedisease or gout. In a further embodiment, the hyperproliferative diseaseis cancer. In a further embodiment, the inhibitor of mitosis selectedfrom the group consisting of vinca alkaloids, taxanes, epothilones,dolastatin and dolastatin analogues, aurora kinase inhibitors, polo-likekinase inhibitors and mitotic kinesin inhibitors. In a furtherembodiment, the inhibitor of mitosis is a KSP inhibitor. In a furtherembodiment, the inhibitor of mitosis is selected from the groupconsisting of ispinesib, the '161 KSP Inhibitors, AZD-4877, CRx-026,SB-743921 (SB-921), MK-0731, EMD-534085 and ARQ 621. In a furtherembodiment, the inhibitor of mitosis is ispinesib, the '161 KSPInhibitors or AZD-4877. In a further embodiment, the inhibitor ofmitosis is selected from the group consisting of the '161 KSPInhibitors. In one embodiment of the present invention, the '161 KSPInhibitor is Compound 1. In another embodiment of the present invention,the '161 KSP Inhibitor is Compound 2. In another embodiment of thepresent invention, the '161 KSP Inhibitor is Compound 3. In anotherembodiment of the present invention, the '161 KSP Inhibitor is Compound4. In another embodiment of the present invention, the '161 KSPInhibitor is Compound 5. In another embodiment of the present invention,the '161 KSP Inhibitor is Compound 6.

Certain embodiments of the present invention provide the use of aninhibitor of mitosis for the preparation of a pharmaceutical compositionfor the treatment of diseases caused by cell division or that aretreated by inhibiting mitosis comprising administering the compositionto a patient in need over a 14 to 21 day dosing cycle a first dose ofthe inhibitor on day one of the dosing cycle, followed by a second doseof the inhibitor on day two or three of the dosing cycle, wherein thecomposition comprises between the biologically effective dose and themaximum tolerated dose of the inhibitor. In a further embodiment, thedosing cycle is 14 days. In another further embodiment, the dosing cycleis 21 days. In a further embodiment, the second dose is administered onday two of the dosing cycle. In another further embodiment, the seconddose is administered on day three of the dosing cycle. In a furtherembodiment, the composition comprises the maximum tolerated dose of theinhibitor. In a further embodiment, the disease is a hyperproliferativedisease or gout. In a further embodiment, the hyperproliferative diseaseis cancer. In a further embodiment, the inhibitor of mitosis selectedfrom the group consisting of vinca alkaloids, taxanes, epothilones,dolastatin and dolastatin analogues, aurora kinase inhibitors, polo-likekinase inhibitors and mitotic kinesin inhibitors. In a furtherembodiment, the inhibitor of mitosis is a KSP inhibitor. In a furtherembodiment, the inhibitor of mitosis is selected from the groupconsisting of ispinesib, the '161 KSP Inhibitors, AZD-4877, CRx-026,SB-743921 (SB-921), MK-0731, EMD-534085 and ARQ 621. In a furtherembodiment, the inhibitor of mitosis is ispinesib, the '161 KSPInhibitors or AZD-4877. In a further embodiment, the inhibitor ofmitosis is selected from the group consisting of the '161 KSPInhibitors. In one embodiment of the present invention, the '161 KSPInhibitor is Compound 1. In another embodiment of the present invention,the '161 KSP Inhibitor is Compound 2. In another embodiment of thepresent invention, the '161 KSP Inhibitor is Compound 3. In anotherembodiment of the present invention, the '161 KSP Inhibitor is Compound4. In another embodiment of the present invention, the '161 KSPInhibitor is Compound 5. In another embodiment of the present invention,the '161 KSP Inhibitor is Compound 6.

EXAMPLES

In order to illustrate the invention, the following Examples areincluded. However, it is to be understood that these Examples do notlimit the invention and are only meant to suggest a method of practicingthe invention.

Example 1 Apoptosis Washout

HT-29 cells, treated with either vehicle control (DMSO), or 10 nMCompound 4, were seeded in identical 96-well tissue culture plates.After 8 or 24 hours, Compound 4 was removed from HT-29 cells andreplaced with fresh growth medium in order to determine whetherapoptosis induction could be prevented. Caspase 3/7 activity wasmeasured as reaction product luminescence at the indicated times usingCaspaseGlo 3/7 reagent (Promega) and a luminometer. Values are reportedas caspase 3/7 activity of Compound 4-treated cells divided by caspase3/7 activity of DMSO-treated cells. The results are shown in FIG. 1.

Example 2 Apoptosis in HT-29 Following Continuous Treatment withCompound 4

HT-29 cells, continuously treated with either vehicle control (DMSO), or100 nM, 10 nM, 1 nM, or 0.1 nM Compound 4, were seeded in identical96-well tissue culture plates. Caspase 3/7 activity was measured asluminescent reaction product at the indicated times using CaspaseGlo 3/7reagent (Promega) and a luminometer. Values are reported as caspase 3/7activity of Compound 4-treated cells divided by caspase 3/7 activity ofDMSO-treated cells. Data include mean and standard deviation values from4 independent experiments. The results are shown in FIG. 2.

Example 3 Apoptosis in RPMI 8226

RPMI 8226 cells, treated with either vehicle control (DMSO), 10 nMCompound 4, or 10 nM vincristine were seeded in identical 96-well tissueculture plates. Caspase 3/7 activity was measured as luminescentreaction product at the indicated times using CaspaseGlo 3/7 reagent(Promega) and a luminometer. Values are reported as caspase 3/7 activityof drug-treated cells divided by caspase 3/7 activity of DMSO-treatedcells. Data include mean and standard deviation values from 4independent experiments. The results are shown in FIG. 3.

Example 4 Duration of Monopolar Spindles and Magnitude of Apoptosis(HT-29 Xenografts)

Female nude mice were implanted subcutaneously with 5×10⁶ HT-29 cells in100 μL PBS. Ten days later, tumors were measured and mice randomizedinto groups of three with average tumor volume in each group ofapproximately 240 mm³. Compound 4 was dissolved in normal salineimmediately before dosing. It was determined that 20 mg/kg was the MTDfor Compound 4. Dose volume was 10 mL/kg. Dosing was vehicle alone onday 1; and Compound 4 at 20 mg/kg on day 1; and 20 mg/kg on days 1 and3. At various time points after dosing (24, 48, 72, 96, 120 and 144hours), mice were euthanized by CO₂ inhalation, and the tumors wereharvested and immediately placed in formalin. The vehicle control groupsamples were collected 24 and 72 hours after dosing. The day 1 groupsamples were collected 24, 48, 72 and 96 hours after that dose. The day1 and day 3 group samples were collected 72, 96, 120 and 144 hours afterthe first dose. Paraffin blocks of tumor tissue were prepared bystandard procedures. Visualization of monopolar spindles was carried outby staining cut sections with mouse anti-human alpha tubulin primaryantibody (clone B-7, Santa Cruz Biotechnology) followed by goatanti-mouse secondary antibody conjugated to Alexafluor 488 (Invitrogen).Nuclei were stained with Hoechst 33342 for cell counting. Spindlestructures were manually counted in three 40× areas of each sample,using a fluorescent microscope. Apoptosis was quantitated by manualcounting of TUNEL positive cells, also in three 40× areas of each sample(TUNEL staining using the In Situ Cell Death Detection Kit, AP fromRoche). The results are shown in FIGS. 4 and 6.

Example 5 Duration of Monopolar Spindles and Magnitude of Apoptosis(HT-29 Xenografts)

The methods of Example 5 are the same as Example 4, except that thedosing was vehicle alone on day 1; and Compound 4 at 8 mg/kg on day 1;and 8 mg/kg on days 1 and 3. The vehicle control group samples werecollected 24 and 72 hours after dosing. The day 1 group samples werecollected 24, 48, 72 and 96 hours after that dose. The days 1 and 3group samples were collected 72, 96, 120 and 144 hours after the firstdose. The results are shown in FIGS. 5 and 7.

Example 6 Mitotic Block and Apoptosis (HT-29)

Female nude mice were implanted subcutaneously with 3×10⁶ HT-29 cells in100 pt PBS. Fourteen days later, tumors were measured and micerandomized into groups of three with average tumor volume in each groupof approximately 300 mm³. Dosing was vehicle alone, and Compound 4 at 5,10, 20 and 30 mg/kg. All samples were collected 24 and 48 hours afterdosing. All other methods were as described for Example 4. The resultsare shown in FIGS. 8 and 9.

Example 7 Tumor Growth Inhibition on Different Dosing Schedules (HT-29)

Female nude mice were implanted subcutaneously with 4×10⁶ HT-29 cells in100 μL PBS. Thirteen days later, tumors were measured and micerandomized into groups of eight with average tumor volume in each groupof approximately 210 mm³. Compound 4 was dissolved in normal salineimmediately prior to dosing, and administered IP at a volume of 10 mL/kgfor 12 days at doses of 4 mg/kg every day, 8 mg/kg every other day, and16 mg/kg every fourth day. Animal weights and tumor volumes weremeasured (using electronic calipers) twice a week. Tumor volume wascalculated using the formula: volume=(width²×length)/2. The results areshown in FIG. 10.

Example 8 Tumor Growth Inhibition on Different Dosing Schedules (HT-29)

Female nude mice were implanted subcutaneously with 5×10⁶ HT-29 cells in100 μL, PBS. Eleven to fourteen days later, tumors were measured andmice randomized into groups of seven with average tumor volume in eachgroup of approximately 230 mm³. Compound 4 was dissolved in normalsaline immediately prior to dosing, and administered IP at a volume of10 mL/kg. Dosing was vehicle alone on day 1 and day 2; and Compound 4 at20 mg/kg on day 1; 20 mg/kg on days 1 and 2; 20 mg/kg on days 1 and 3; 5mg/kg on days 1, 2 and 3; 10 mg/kg on days 1, 2 and 3; 10 mg/kg on days1, 2, 3, 4 and 5; 10 mg/kg on days 1 and 2; and 10 mg/kg on days 1 and3. Animal weights and tumor volumes were measured (using electroniccalipers) twice a week. Tumor volume was calculated using the formula:volume=(width²×length)/2. Dosing at 10 mg/kg on days 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5was not tolerated (greater than 20% weight loss and/or death in some ofthe mice). The results are shown in FIGS. 11-15.

Example 9 Tumor Growth Inhibition on Different Dosing Schedules (RPMI8226)

Female SCID-beige mice were implanted subcutaneously with 1×10⁷ RPMI8226 cells in 100 μL PBS with 50% Matrigel. Twenty-five days later,tumors were measured and mice randomized into groups of seven withaverage tumor volume in each group of approximately 225 mm³. Compound 4was dissolved in normal saline immediately prior to dosing, andadministered IP at a volume of 10 mL/kg. Dosing was vehicle alone on day1; and Compound 4 at 20 mg/kg on day 1; 10 mg/kg on days 1 and 2; 10mg/kg on days 1 and 3; and 20 mg/kg on days 1, 5 and 9. Animal weightsand tumor volumes were measured (using electronic calipers) twice aweek. Tumor volume was calculated using the formulavolume=(width²×length)/2. The results are shown in FIG. 16.

Example 10 Duration of Monopolar Spindles, Bipolar Spindles andMagnitude of Apoptosis (RPMI 8226)

Female SCID-beige mice were implanted subcutaneously with 1×10⁷ RPMI8226 cells in 100 μL PBS with 50% Matrigel. Thirty-one days later,tumors were measured and mice randomized into groups of three withaverage tumor volume in each group of approximately 210 mm³. Compound 4was dissolved in normal saline immediately before dosing. Dose volumewas 10 mL/kg. Dosing was vehicle alone on day 1; and Compound 4 at 10mg/kg on day 1; 20 mg/kg on day 1; 10 mg/kg on days 1 and 2; and 10mg/kg on days 1 and 3. At various times after dosing (24, 48, 72 and 96hours), mice were euthanized by CO₂ inhalation, and tumors wereharvested and immediately placed in formalin. The vehicle control groupsamples were collected 48 hours after dosing. The 10 mg/kg on day 1samples were collected 24 and 48 hours after dosing. The 20 mg/kg on day1 samples were collected 24, 48 and 72 hours after dosing. The 10 mg/kgon days 1 and 2 samples were collected 48 and 72 hours after the firstdose. The 10 mg/kg on days 1 and 3 samples were collected 72 and 96hours after the first dose. Paraffin blocks of tumor tissue wereprepared by standard procedures. Visualization of monopolar spindles wascarried out by staining cut sections with mouse anti-human alpha tubulinprimary antibody (clone B-7, Santa Cruz Biotechnology), followed by goatanti-mouse secondary antibody conjugated to Alexafluor 488 (Invitrogen).Nuclei were stained with Hoechst 33342 for cell counting. Spindlestructures were manually counted in three 40× areas of each sample,using a fluorescent microscope. Apoptosis was quantitated by manualcounting of TUNEL positive cells, also in three 40× areas of each sample(TUNEL staining using the In Situ Cell Death Detection Kit, AP fromRoche). The results are shown in FIGS. 17, 18 and 19.

Example 11 Determination of MTD in a Phase 1 Study

A total of 13 patients with various solid tumors and with a median ageof 66 years (range 40-79 years old) were enrolled in a human phase 1clinical trial (see “Phase I Safety and Pharmacokinetic Study ofARRY-520 in Solid Tumors.”http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00462358, herein incorporated byreference). The solid tumors treated were breast cancer. (2), colorectalcancer (2), non-small cell lung cancer (2), pancreatic cancer (2),bladder cancer, salivary gland cancer (adenoid cystic), esophagealcancer, mesothelioma cancer, and a mixed small cell lungcancer/non-small cell lung cancer. Compound 4 was provided foradministration as a lyophilized powder contained in a Type 1 clear glassvial for IV use. The dose levels administered were 1.25 and 1.6mg/m²/day of Compound 4 on Days 1 and 2 every two weeks. The MTD wasdetermined to be 1.25 mg/m²/day (cumulative dose per cycle of 2.5mg/m²), with DLTs of Grade 3 hyponatremia, anorexia, AST increase andfebrile neutropenia.

See also, “A Phase 1/2 Study of ARRY-520 in Patients With Relapsed orRefractory Multiple Myeloma.”http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/showNCT00821249, herein incorporated byreference.

While the invention has been described in conjunction with theenumerated embodiments, it will be understood that they are not intendedto limit the invention to those embodiments. On the contrary, theinvention is intended to cover all alternatives, modifications andequivalents, which may be included within the scope of the presentinvention as defined by the claims. Thus, the foregoing description isconsidered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention.

The words “comprise,” “comprising,” “include,” “including,” and“includes” when used in this specification and in the following claimsare intended to specify the presence of stated features, integers,components, or steps, but they do not preclude the presence or additionof one or more other features, integers, components, steps, or groupsthereof.

1-137. (canceled)
 138. A method for treating cancer by administering toa patient in need thereof two doses of an inhibitor of mitosis selectedfrom the group consisting of the '161 KSP Inhibitors between thebiologically effective dose and the maximum tolerated dose in a 21 daydosing cycle, wherein the first dose is administered on day one of thedosing cycle and the second dose is administered 12 to 60 hours afterthe first dose, and the '161 KSP Inhibitors are selected from the groupconsisting of2-(3-aminopropyl)-5-(3-fluorophenyl)-N-(2-methoxyethyl)-N-methyl-2-phenyl-1,3,4-thiadiazole-3(2H)-carboxamide,2-(3-aminopropyl)-5-(3-fluorophenyl)-N-methoxy-N-methyl-2-phenyl-1,3,4-thiadiazole-3(2H)-carboxamide,2-(3-aminopropyl)-5-(2,5-difluorophenyl)-N-methoxy-N-methyl-2-phenyl-1,3,4-thiadiazole-3(2H)-carboxamide,(S)-2-(3-aminopropyl)-5-(2,5-difluorophenyl)-N-methoxy-N-methyl-2-phenyl-1,3,4-thiadiazole-3(2H)-carboxamide,(R)-2-(3-aminopropyl)-5-(2,5-difluorophenyl)-N-methoxy-N-methyl-2-phenyl-1,3,4-thiadiazole-3(2H)-carboxamide,and2-(3-aminopropyl)-5-(2,5-difluorophenyl)-N-hydroxy-N-methyl-2-phenyl-1,3,4-thiadiazole-3(2H)-carboxamide.139. A method of claim 138, wherein the second dose is administered 24hours after the first dose.
 140. A method of claim 138, wherein thesecond dose is administered 48 hours after the first dose.
 141. A methodof claim 139, wherein the two doses are at the maximum tolerated dose.142. A method of claim 140, wherein the two doses are at the maximumtolerated dose.
 143. A method of claim 138, wherein the cancer is ahematological tumor selected from lymphoma, leukemia and multiplemyeloma.
 144. A method of claim 143, wherein the hematological tumor isselected from advanced myeloid leukemia, relapsed multiple myeloma andrefractory multiple myeloma.
 145. A method of claim 138, wherein the'161 KSP Inhibitor is(S)-2-(3-aminopropyl)-5-(2,5-difluorophenyl)-N-methoxy-N-methyl-2-phenyl-1,3,4-thiadiazole-3(2H)-carboxamide.146. A method of claim 138, wherein the '161 KSP Inhibitor is(S)-2-(3-aminopropyl)-5-(2,5-difluorophenyl)-N-methoxy-N-methyl-2-phenyl-1,3,4-thiadiazole-3(2H)-carboxamide.
 147. A method of claim 138, wherein the '161 KSPInhibitor is(S)-2-(3-aminopropyl)-5-(2,5-difluorophenyl)-N-methoxy-N-methyl-2-phenyl-1,3,4-thiadiazole-3(2H)-carboxamide.
 148. A method of claim 138, wherein the '161 KSPInhibitor is(S)-2-(3-aminopropyl)-5-(2,5-difluorophenyl)-N-methoxy-N-methyl-2-phenyl-1,3,4-thiadiazole-3(2H)-carboxamide.